Business Plan for Soil Testing Company... 1

[boringplan]

I am currently a business manager with a civil engineering firm. I have been asked to develop a plan that includes but is not limited to soil testing. The primary objective is to obtain soil borings from parcels of land where buildings, homes, and roads will be developed. So far, I have been able to obtain info about tools/machinery needed to obtain the borings. If possible, can anyone please forward information re: this area. Thank you in advance for your assistance.

 

[boringplan]

Several days have passed and not one reply. I guess that the three engineers here at the office weren't up to date on how members here would respond to a request for help. Thank you for your assistance in this matter.

 

[Ron]

boringplan...it's not that members don't want to help, it's that your request is so broad that not much could be offered in the short responses of a forum such as this.

You've asked a question that could take volumes. You have not provided much information. Do you already have in-house geotechnical expertise? Will you have to hire geotechnical engineers? Do you have a laboratory for testing? Do you know what's involved in the types of borings for your area? Do you intend to take undisturbed samples? Rock cores? Any electronic logging anticipated? Do you have to have permits for drilling in your area? Do drillers have to be certified or permitted? Do you intend to do only "drive on sites" or will you need ATV or tripod capability? What about drilling over water?

If you are a civil firm wanting to add geotechnical as an adjunct service, think again. The profit margins are not high for the capital intensive effort you'll expend. Unless you want to become a subcontract driller to fill in for all the times you won't be able to keep them busy in house, you are headed down a path you'll likely regret.

Good luck. It's a tough business to be in...even tougher to start.

Ron

 

[Focht3]

Ron's right - stick to what you know.

 

[LanceK]

I'm curious as to what you are doing now? Are you using subcontractors? Are you trying to do it yourself? How many geotechnical engineers, geologists and technicians do you have? Are your clients architects and other engineers? What sector are most of your clients from?
If you let us know the answers we may be able to provide some advice. If nothing else you should be asking yourself these questions.

 

[boringplan]

Thank you for the responses. The information you have mentioned in your notes has really caused us to re-evaluate the direction of this idea. At this time, we outsource/subcontract the soil testing needed for our projects. The idea was to bring it 'in house' and do our own. This would enable us to complete our work in a timely manner and offer the service to others in the area who seem to be in the same situation. Please note, you questions have triggered a new research effort into this area. I hope to be able to bring something back to the table that will give the forum a better idea of where I am at with this.

Thank you for the number of responses given to date. They have shed a different light on this endeavor.

 

[Rjeffery]

for add'l info try

http://www.wacel.org

(or .com) formaly the Washington(DC) Are Councel of Enfineering Labs... Good luck!